Ford Torino (1970-1971)

1970 marked the second generation of the Torino. For this generation the Torino was the main series vehicle and the Fairlane became the budget sub-series of the Torino. The Fairlane would disappear after 1970 and the Torino would be used on all Ford intermediates. Mercury would also offer a twin of the Torino as the Mercury Montego line. The second generation Torino was redesigned in a coke-bottle shape.

1970 Ford Torino

The new Torino moved away from the boxy lines of the full-size Fords to a completely new body for the 1970. The new body had a curvy coke-bottle like styling. The styling was inspired by supersonic aircraft with narrow waists and bulging forward and rear fuselages. The new Torino featured long-hood and short-deck styling. It was longer, lower and wider than the 1969 model. With a lower roofline, all models now featured a much less formal roof line than previous years. The windshield rake was increased, and the SportsRoof models had a flatter fastback roofline.

The front end featured a pointed tip with a full with grille and quad headlights. The front fender line extended to front door, sloping downward and gradually disappearing in the quarter panel. Both front and rear bumpers were slim tight fitting chromed bumpers. Long rectangular taillights were situated in the rear panel above the bumper. The new body grew by about 5-inches in length, and now rode on a 117-inch wheelbase. Station wagons used a 114-inch wheelbase. The wheel track was widened, but the suspension remained unchanged from the 1969 models. Weight went up about a 100 lbs per model.

The new model line-up consisted of 13 models. The base model was the “Fairlane 500″, which was available in a 2-door hardtop, 4-door sedan, and 4-door wagon; the mid-level “Torino”, was available as a 2-door and 4-door hardtop, and a 4-door sedan and station wagon, and a new 4-door hardtop; the “Torino Brougham” was the top trim level, and was available as a 2-door and 4-door hardtop, and a 4-door station wagon; the “Torino GT” was available as a 2-door SportsRoof and convertible; and the “Torino Cobra” was available as a 2-door SportsRoof only. Mid-year a new “Falcon” entry-level intermediate was added. The 1970 1⁄2 Falcon was available as a 2-door and 4-door sedan, and 4-door station wagon. Also introduced mid-year was a Torino 2-door Sportsroof model, which was marketed as a low price alternative to the GT. With the above mid-year additions, the Ford intermediate line-up consisted of 17 separate models.

The engine choices included a 250 cubic inch inline-6, the 302-2V and the 351W-2V were carried over from 1969. Most models came with the 250 as the standard engine. Optional engines included the 302-2V, the 351W-2V, a new 351 Cleveland available with a 2- or 4-barrel carburetor, and a new 429-4V 385 Series V8. The 429-4V was available in three different versions: a 429 Thunder Jet, the standard engine for the Cobra and rated at 360 horsepower, a 429 CJ (Cobra Jet), rated at 370 horsepower, and a 429 SCJ (Super Cobra Jet), rated a 375 horsepower, which was part of a “Drag Pack” option. The drag pack required either the 3.91:1 or the 4.30:1 axle ratio, and included a 4-bolt main engine block, forged pistons, 780 CFM Holley carburetor, engine oil cooler, and a solid lifter cam. A 3-speed transmission was standard on all models except the Cobra. The Cruise-O-Matic and 4-speed transmissions remained options. The competition suspension and heavy-duty suspension packages remained as options. The competition suspension package featured extra-heavy-duty front and rear springs, Gabriel shocks and a front sway bar.

There interiors were also new for the Torino. The dashboard featured a linear style speedometer centered on the driver, and a new “ribbon” style tachometer was an option for V8 models. A temperature gauge was the only available gauge, oil pressure and electrics were monitored with warning lights only. High back bucket seats were available for all 2-door models, as was an optional console. All 2-door hardtop, SportsRoof and convertible models featured “DirectAire” ventilation systems. The 2-door sedan, 4-doors and station wagons still had vent windows, and the “DirectAire” system was an option for these models. The ignition switch was moved from the instrument panel to the steering column, in compliance with Federal regulations. The steering wheel and column-mounted shifter now locked when the key was removed. Torino Brougham models came standard with extra exterior and interior trim, finer upholstery, wheel covers, unique emblems, extra sound insulation and “Hideaway” headlights.

The Torino GT came standard with non-functional hood scoop molded into the hood, GT emblems (including the centre of the grille), dual colour-keyed sport mirrors, full width tail lights with a honeycomb effect, and hub caps with wheel trim rings. Standard tires for the GT were E70-14 fibreglass belted tires, while convertibles wore F70-14s. New options for the Torino GT were a reflective laser stripe, which ran down the middle of the side of the Torino from the front fender to the door, and Hideaway headlamps. The Torino Cobra remained the no-nonsense pure performance model, and had a lower level of trim than the Torino GT. The Cobra was only available as a SportsRoof model, and came standard with a 4-speed close ratio transmission, Hurst shifter, competition suspension, flat black hood and grille, 7-inch-wide wheels, F70-14 tires with raised white letters, twist style exposed hood latches, and “Cobra” emblems.

Station wagon models were offered initially in three different levels: the Fairlane 500 wagon, the Torino wagon, and the Torino Squire wagon. A mid-year Falcon wagon became the new base station wagon. The sheetmetal on the station wagons was not changed as drastically as 2-door and 4-door models. The majority of the sheetmetal behind the front doors was carried over from the 1968-69 body style. As a result the wagons appeared more upright and square than the sedans and coupes. The Torino Squire was the top level wagon and it featured simulated woodgrain sides, headlamp covers and a trim level similar to the Torino Brougham sedan. The Squire came standard with a 302-2V V8 engine, as well as power front disc brakes; other wagons had 4-wheel drums and the 250 inline-6. All wagons still featured Ford’s “Magic Doorgate” two-way tailgate, while the power rear window, rear-facing third seat and roof rack remained options. Ford offered a trailering towing package for all Torinos that would allow Torino to have a Class II tow rating. This package included heavy-duty suspension, heavy-duty battery and alternator, extra cooling package, and power front disc brakes. The 351 and 429 engines, power steering and the Cruise-O-Matic transmission were required options.

1971 Ford Torino

For 1971, the Torino had minor revisions. The biggest change was the decision to drop the Fairlane and Falcon names. The Torino line now consisted of 14 models. Styling was mostly unchanged for the 1971 models, except for minor revisions to trim and the grilles. The grilles on the 1971 Torinos now were divided by a vertical division in the centre of the grille for all models except the Cobra. The Torino 500, Brougham, Squire wagon and GT models had the Hideaway headlamp option available, which included a unique grille with a less prominent divider bar.